Southwest Valley Superintendent Joe Erickson joined us in studio ahead of Thanksgiving break for an update on his first semester with the Timberwolves.

Southwest Valley Community School District Superintendent Joe Erickson says his first semester with the Timberwolves has gone “as good or better” than he hoped as he continues to learn the culture of the district and build relationships in Corning and Villisca. Erickson joined us in studio ahead of Thanksgiving break to talk about the school calendar, board development, and the many people who make education work every day.

Now in his first year leading Southwest Valley, Erickson says prior superintendent experience has helped, but every district has its own way of doing things. Learning “how we do things as Timberwolves” and getting to know staff, students, and families has been a highlight of his fall. He also praised the high level of community involvement he’s seen on both campuses and in the broader community, including the energy and activity in downtown Corning on Saturdays.

Erickson recently attended the Iowa Association of School Boards convention in Des Moines with five Southwest Valley board members. The two-day event gave board members a chance to dive deeply into school finance, the board’s role in personnel and human resources decisions, and the complex topic of property taxes. Erickson compared school funding and tax policy to a “big ball of spaghetti,” where tugging on one strand can have far-reaching and sometimes unintended consequences. With another legislative session approaching and recent conversations about property tax reform, he says the district will keep advocating for decisions that support students and taxpayers. He also noted a recent visit to Corning by Governor Kim Reynolds, who met with local leaders to hear about potential impacts of policy changes.

The recent school board election brought continuity for Southwest Valley, which Erickson appreciates in his first year, but it also marked a transition. Longtime board member Howard Anderson chose not to run again after about 12 years of service on the Corning board, helping guide the district through grade sharing and the construction of the new school building. Erickson thanked Anderson for his many years in education and board service.

Erickson also took time to highlight American Education Week, which was observed last week. He says while many people think of Teacher Appreciation Week, this observance is meant to recognize everyone who contributes to student success—teachers, custodians, cooks, bus drivers, secretaries, principals, and more. Coming on the heels of meaningful Veterans Day assemblies in Villisca and Corning, the week was an opportunity to thank the full team that keeps schools running.

Looking ahead to Thanksgiving, Erickson shared that the district is on a regular schedule today, including a basketball jamboree in the evening, with no school on Thursday or Friday. As students and staff head into a well-earned break, Erickson encourages everyone to be thankful for the educators and support staff who shaped their lives—and, if possible, to reach out with a note, text, or card to say thanks.